South Platte River Basin: BLM delays oil and gas leases in South Park

The Bureau of Land Management released environmental-assessment documents that cited concerns about water resources, state parks, critical wildlife habitat, recreation, tourism and visual factors as reasons for deferring action on six South Park parcels that were to be offered for lease in February.

The leasing of the parcels would let companies drill for possible oil and gas.

“The parcels will not be offered in February. They could be offered at subsequent lease sales or never offered for sale,” BLM spokesman Steven Hall said. “Concerns about water quality, fracking, impacts of development on the South Park quality of life and impacts to wildlife habitat were all cited by those opposed to oil and gas leasing.”